First up, I'm the guy from the Izea management team that Dan spoke with. He approached me, by the way, not the other way around. Also, the person you speak of heading up the group is Tara, who commented above. You've kind of made a Tara-Pete hybrid there – a Para perhaps?

Anyway, the whole point of the IMA we're forming is to give a voice to anyone involved in interactive marketing and technology here. We have people involved on the tech side, on the marketing side, we have educators in the group, CEO's, small independents – you name it.

The idea is to create something that can be a benefit to the whole area, more than just Orlando, and that can bring attention to this region as a growing hotbed of talent. I for one have absolutely no problem with anyone else forming a group, and I certainly didn't talk Dan out of his idea. I did suggest that if he's at the early stages of his, as we are with ours, then perhaps we should pool resources to make a greater impact.

Hope that clears some things up. No darkness, no conspiracy, just a group of people of all levels interested in making this area a better place for us all.

If we can come to a consensus, philosophically, ethically; set a good example for others to follow, we can be a large group of passionate and focused individuals all going in the same direction.

Robert and I have discussed getting a regular conference call together that is recorded so people can listen in and post responses, as well as meetings in person, but I think something like a video or audio recording of these events will help ease everyone’s minds. I think the more open this entire process is, the fewer witch hunts we will see.

Over at FloridaCreatives.com we’re going to be setting up a free tool to help folks get organized, make connections, get a centralized list of events, and have a conversation.

The tools will be similar to those you see on Meetup.com but offered for free to anyone who wants them.

The work we’ve already done starting the wiki will continue with a more user-friendly look and feel, and hopefully the information will become even easier to find, search and import/export. The point is to make the tools free and openly available with a very low barrier to entry.

I’m stoked to hear so many passionate voices. It’s a sign that we’ve arrived as a community and it’s time to take action.

If people gather together to talk about this and bring up ideas there will probably be people who stand out as being more interested and involved than everyone else who would make the best figureheads/organizers. Anyway the cards fall though I think that whoever wants to be involved will be able to in some extent — even just gathering at whatever meetings come from this to provide input and contribute their specific talents. I’d be up for helping out in some way myself and I know a few others here who are as well.

Thank you for the clarification. Someone at BarCampOrlando mentioned that number. It is good to have the facts especially as it appears that people do not have the correct information. Thank you again for setting me on the right path.

Robert

Jennifer Wakefield
EDC PR director

Thanks for coming forward and clearing things up.

I agree that pooling resources is a great idea, and a necessity as well. All of us have a stake in our future so working together would benefit everyone.

It sounds like we are on the same page in wanting to promote tech (and all associated technologies) not only here in Orlando but Central Florida as a whole. I see Tara posted a link so I will definitely get involved.

Thanks again for the clarification and a great party this past Saturday.

First up, I’m the guy from the Izea management team that Dan spoke with. He approached me, by the way, not the other way around. Also, the person you speak of heading up the group is Tara, who commented above. You’ve kind of made a Tara-Pete hybrid there – a Para perhaps?

Anyway, the whole point of the IMA we’re forming is to give a voice to anyone involved in interactive marketing and technology here. We have people involved on the tech side, on the marketing side, we have educators in the group, CEO’s, small independents – you name it.

The idea is to create something that can be a benefit to the whole area, more than just Orlando, and that can bring attention to this region as a growing hotbed of talent. I for one have absolutely no problem with anyone else forming a group, and I certainly didn’t talk Dan out of his idea. I did suggest that if he’s at the early stages of his, as we are with ours, then perhaps we should pool resources to make a greater impact.

Hope that clears some things up. No darkness, no conspiracy, just a group of people of all levels interested in making this area a better place for us all.

I spoke briefly with Dan at the IZEA after-party about the beginning of a Central FL Interactive Marketing & Technology association I am in the process of defining with the help of an advisory group including people from all areas of the interactive industry in Orlando and beyond. I think a subtle point that was missed in our conversation was that we do NOT want the group to be too narrowly focused, which is why we’d like digital brand marketers, developers, agencies, students, entrepreneurs, consultants, start-ups, sponsors and everyone in between to be a part of this group.

I think it is very important to get input from the community and we will be doing our due diligence to solicit feedback and input from those interested in shaping the group and being a part of steering in the future.

If you’re interested, please sign up to get involved, we’d love to have you!

http://floridasbigsecret.com/